Deep down, I recognize the excuse it is, because let’s be real, he wouldn’t put that much effort in if he wasn’t serious. I’m miles away, and he could probably have any woman he wants within a twenty-mile radius.
After the books came yesterday, I bawled my eyes out for five minutes, then called Cici. She talked me down from the ledge and convinced me to sit on it for a day before searching for the last date, which I insisted on to see the process through. I’m stubborn when I make a decision.
We said three dates, and it’s only been two, so I’ll go on one more andthendecide what to do. So now it’s time to search for my final match. I open the app and start scrolling. If I can find someone today, I could schedule for tonight and have it over with sooner rather than later. And as they say, the third time’s a charm, so this could be the one.
Even though I come across a few possibilities, I want to go through everyone since this is my last try. I’m almost done looking at all the new prospects when my eyes bug out at the next profile. I bring it closer to make sure I’m not hallucinating.
Nope. That’s definitely Braden. What the hell? He can’t be serious. This is insane. He has some nerve. Did he not learn his lesson the first time around? I’m skimming through it, about to throw my phone across the room, when the pictures he used stop me in my tracks.
The first one is from Cici’s wedding, but the crazy thing is that I’m in it with him. The next is from the weekend he visited, with me as well. Oh my God, I’m in all of them. Wait. I scroll up to actually read his profile this time. Oh. My. God. I’m laughing out loud and partly crying as I go through his answers.
He did this for me. He wanted me to find it. When did he do it, and what if I hadn’t come across it? Wait a minute. How did he even know I was on here?
I dial Cici, who picks up on the first ring. “Yessss?”
“Did you tell Braden I was on another dating site?”
“Now why would I do that?” she asks sarcastically.
“Cici. He couldn’t have found out unless you told him. You knew about this, didn’t you?”
“Okay, it may have slipped. Aaand I might have helped him with his account.”
“What the heck?”
“Ugh. You wouldn’t read his letters or even give in after you got those books, which, by the way, is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard of. I had to do something, and I figured this would speed up the inevitable.”
“You little brat. Why didn’t you just tell me that?”
“Because this was way more fun. Also, need I remind you how stubborn you are?”
I groan.
“So what are you gonna do?” she asks.
“Open the letters? Or should I call him?”
“Hmmm.” She doesn’t answer, instead giving me a minute to think out loud.
“I’m so frustrated.”
Why did I let this go on so long? We’ve both been miserable. What he did was wrong, but it might have been my pride that kept me from forgiving him.
“I felt so stupid being duped. And yeah, I sort of understand why he did it in the first place, but he should’ve stopped when we actually started talking.”
She remains quiet.
“Maybe I’ll read them. It might help me get past it.”
“I think that’s a good idea. Decide what to do after that.”
“Okay.”
“Hey, follow your heart, whichever direction it takes you.”
“Thanks, Cici.”
I’m a puddle of tears over the next thirty minutes reading through the six letters. He really did grovel, just like his profile said. His sincerity is evident, and I can see how things progressed before it got out of hand. After the first letter explained everything, the rest became more like love letters.
